Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Miri Heart Week to offer health checks

MIRI: Miri Heart Week at Bintang Megamall (old Wing) on May 3-4 will offer the public health checks at minimal fees.

Services include body mass index (BMI), screening for blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as health counselling by medical personnel.

Sarawak Heart Foundation trustee Eric Lim reminded the public to fast at night for at least six hours prior to having their blood tested.

“This is the common and compulsory procedure and it’s both efficient and effective,” he told a press conference at Miri Hospital yesterday.

Lim said the foundation has previously organised similar events in different areas of the state to create greater awareness about heart diseases.

“It is also aimed at teaching teenagers and the public at large on the aspects of heart illnesses, and the importance to prevent it rather than cure,” he said.

There will also be a talk on childhood heart disease in English by a Miri Hospital specialist on May 3.

Other events include demonstrations of exercises such as aerobics, wushu, karate and body-building, healthy cooking for the heart, blood donation drive, children’s colouring contest, and exhibition on heart diseases.

The two-day event is organised by the Sarawak Heart Foundation in collaboration with the Heart Foundation of Malaysia.